Testun llawn:
I am writing to express a number of objections to the conclusions drawn in the New Local Plan. Whilst I fully accept the need to provide adequate housing capacity in the district, I feel that there are three crucial flaws in the assumptions and decisions made in the current version of the plan.
1. Projected level of housing demand. I feel the basis for projected demand has been unduly influenced by higher recent growth levels, and is likely to lead to overcapacity in future. On a related point , I accept that high house prices cause numerous social problems and that it is desirable to address this. However supply is only one determinant of price. Another way to moderate prices is to reduce demand, and one policy I would like you to consider in this context is more punitive taxation of second homes and buy-to-let homes to reduce the concentration of property ownership among a relatively privileged few. Reducing the concentration of property ownership would go a long way to addressing the levels of house price inflation seen over the last fifteen years.
2. Building on the Green Belt. The plan involves substantial development on the green belt, which is only permissible in exceptional circumstances. I do not feel that this criteria has been met, as available non-greenbelt land around Europa Way and Witnash, which also has the benefit of being within easy reach of the M40. This leads me to my final point.
3. Resultant pressure on infrastructure. Building to the North of Leamington would lead to a significant increase in the volume of traffic having to cross though Leamington to reach the M40. I already experience heavy congestion in my morning commute to South Birmingham, where it often takes me as long to get out of Leamington as it does to reach J3 of the M40. I have serious concerns over what the proposed substantial increase in homes North of Leamington would mean for the volumes of traffic trying to cross through the town centre every day. On top of this there is the cost of the proposed relief road.
I hope that you will take these objections into consideration when you collate the consultation feedback.